As a Speech Language Pathologist In this area this is my observation and answers to common question in very simple terms regarding autism which are discussed in this forum:
Autism is a lifelong condition. When a person has autism there are difficulties in three main areas. They are: communication, social skills and imagination.
Autism in US: A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the rate of autism for children ages 3 to 10 years to be 3.4 per 1,000 children. Approximately 17 percent of children have some type of developmental disability, including more mild conditions such as speech and language disorders, learning disabilities, and ADHD, which appear to be more common than autism.
Autism in India: The Government of India now recognizes autism as a disability (since 1990). This development is relatively recent. There is no census, but there are more than 2 million individual with autism or ASD. The majority of autistic people in India has not been diagnosed and do not receive the services they need. This problem occurs in many countries, but is especially true in India where there is a tremendous lack of awareness and misunderstanding about autism among the medical professionals, who may either misdiagnose or under diagnose the condition. One of the major difficulties faced by parents of children with autism in India is obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Cause: We do not know???.research still going on.
MMR vaccine: Overwhelmingly, the larger studies suggested that there was no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. Over the years, even more data has been collected and even larger studies have been done. The bulk of the evidence suggests that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism.
A Team Approach to Making a Diagnosis:
Why do we need to see doctor?
The purpose of a differential diagnosis is to rule out all other developmental, neurological or genetic disorders which may show characteristics or 'features' that are similar to, or that may overlap with those seen on the Autistic spectrum.
Autism is a complex disorder. A comprehensive evaluation requires a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals experienced in diagnosing autism. The team members will conduct a thorough neurological assessment and in-depth cognitive and language testing.
Treatment:
There is no single best treatment for autism. Some are:-
1)1)Highly structured behavior modification programs.
2)2)Speech therapy ? PECS program, sign, communication book/board and traditional language therapy. Depends upon individual capacity and disability.
3) 3) No medications have been found to specifically help communication in autistic individuals. Mineral and vitamin supplements, special diets, and psychotherapy have also been used, but research has not documented their effectiveness.
Education:
Autism and education in US:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federally mandated program that assures a free and appropriate public education for children with diagnosed learning deficits. Usually, children are placed in public schools, and the school district pays for all necessary services. These will include, as needed, services provided by the following:
Speech therapists
Occupational therapists
School psychologists
Social workers
School nurses
Aides.
By law, the public schools must prepare and carry out a set of instruction goals or specific skills for every child in a special education program. The list of skills is known as the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Autism and Education in India:
Currently, the needs of autistic children in India are not being met in either the regular or special education systems. With an understanding teacher or possibly an aide, a more able autistic child could function very well in a regular school, and learn valuable social skills from his peers. However, even children with very high I.Q.?s are often not permitted in regular classes. Also, the rigidity and pressure of schools in India can make it difficult for an autistic child to cope without special allowances. Some middle and lower functioning children, who form the majority of autistic children, may attend special schools, but these schools almost always lack an understanding of effective methods of handling the challenging behaviors of autistic children. As one parents noted, "The kids just get ?dumped? or ignored at the special schools." Children with autism are frequently refused admission in these special schools because officials protest they are not equipped to handle autistic children, who are sometimes more challenging than children with mental retardation alone. We believe that special schools should invest in learning these techniques, rather than turning parents away! See below for Autism links in India.
Conclusion:
Autism is a complex lifelong developmental disorder, and has no cure, medical or therapeutic. However, through early intervention, many children have been able to lead productive and meaningful lives with support from their family, friends and professionals.
Many people with autism can lead a fairly independent life but that depends to a great extent on the degree of autism and the kind of the training that is given. Training, not only refers to teaching but also the comfort and acceptance from people in the child's immediate environment. This is of course true for every child whether typically developing or not. But for the child with autism, living in a confusing world where social rules appear so arbitrary and confusing, we believe that comfort and acceptance is crucial.
?Wishing you a wonderful journey with your child.?
Autism Specific Organizations in India
(updated July 2010)
Action For Autism (AFA)
The National Centre for Autism
Pocket 7 & 8
Jasola Vihar
New Delhi-110025
Tel: 91-11-65347422Tel: 91-11-40540991, 40540992Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.autism-india.org
AARAMBH
#8-3-966/27,
Behind Ameerpet-Kamma Sangam
Nagarjuna Nagar
Yellareddy Guda
Hyderabad - 500 073
tel: 96180 76870, 99667 82332
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Assam Autism Foundation
5 Dinesh Ojha Path, Rajgarh
Guwahati 781 005
Assam
Tel: 00911-9864027292/14608
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.aaf.org.in/
Autism Society of Hyderabad (ASH)
1-2-593/26A Near Bala Saibaba Temple
Gagan Mahal
Hyderabad 500 029
Tel: 91 9848513192
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Autism Society of India
60 Vittal Mallya Road
Bangalore 560001
Phone: 91-80-2322-5279
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: www.autismsocietyofindia.org
Autism Society West Bengal
22 Anjuman Ara Begum Row
Kolkata 700 033
Tel: 033 64571576
Tel: 09830139173
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
(numbers updated 12/1/09)
Creating Connections
10/4 Block B
6 Sunny Park
Kolkata-700019
Mob: 09830941233, 09810225923
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Forum For Autism
2nd floor, Block A, Jeshtaram Baug
Dr.Ambedkar Rd, Dadar,
Mumbai 400 014
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.geocities.com/Autismawareness/
Institute for Remedial Intervention Services
8-2-/B/2/D
Road No:11
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad 500034
Web: http://www.autismindia.com
India Autism Forum
S-123, Kirloskar Colony,
III Stage IV Block, Basveswarnagar,
Bangalore 560 079
Tel: 080 3225279
Tel: 080 3230357
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.ashaforautism.com
Parents Network for Autism
C-213, Patel Park
Nirala Nagar
Lucknow- 226020
Tel: 0522-2786508
Parents Association for Autistic Children
Plot No 779 Defence Colony
Sainikpuri
Secunderabad-500094
Tel: 040-27110749
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
SOPAN
A-4 Silver Arch, Ramnagar
Borivali (W)
Mumbai 400 092
Tel: 022-28064443
Tel: 022-28864183
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.sopan.org
Ummeed Child Development Center
Ground Floor, Mantri Pride
1-B, 1/62, N.M. Joshi Marg
Subhash Nagar
Near Chinchpokli Station
Lower Parel
Mumbai 400011
Tel: 65528310, 65564054, 23002006, 23001144
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.ummeed.org
Resource Centre:
No 5 Blue Beach Road,
Neelangarai,
Chennai 600 041
Tel: 044 65461010
Tel: 044 42862221
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: www.wecanindia.org[EMAIL="[email protected]"]
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Schools for Autism Spectrum Disorder (in alphabetical order)
Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism (ASHA)
3rd Stage 4th Block
Basveswarnagar
Bangalore- 560 079
Tel: 080-23225279
Fax: 080-22258103
Email : [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.ashaforautism.com/
Adhaar Workskills Training for Adolescents and Adults
The National Centre for Autism
Pkt 7 & 8 Jasola Vihar
New Delhi 110025
Tel: 91-11-65347422, 40540991/2
Fax: 91-11-40540993
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.autism-india.org
Asha Ka Jharna
Harlalka Kothi
Nawalgarh 333042
Rajasthan
Tel: 01594-222930/223094
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Ashiana
Nityanand Municipal School
Sahar Road, Andheri East
Mumbai
Tel: 022-26845062, 26125742
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
The Ashish Centre
F-3, First Floor
(Opp. Ramila Maidan)
Vikaspuri
New Delhi 110048
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.ashishindia.org/
Autism Centre
c/o Prasanna Hospital
Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 91-020-25652246
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.prasannaautism.org
Autism Special School
(State child welfare council)
Ayyanthole,
Thrissur
Tel: 0487 2360946.
Director's No 9745614208
Bubbles Centre for Autism
(A unit of Biswa Gouri Charitable Trust)
1279, 1st Cross Road
Govindraj Nagar
Bangalore 79
Tel: 98455 57115
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: www.bubbles-bangalore.blogspot.com
Centre for Autism Therapy, Counselling and Help (CATCH)
26, Madhusudan Nagar
Unit 4
Bhubanswar 751001
Orissa
Tel: 9937004040
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.catchindia.org
Child Development Center (CDC) at the Hinduja Hospital
Rm no-2310, 2nd floor, OPD bldg
P.D. Hinduja Hospital,
Mahim Mumbai-400016
Tel: 24451515 ext- 8258/ 8259, 2447258/59
Fax: 24445907
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
(updated 8/08)
Dakshinya Special Education Centre & School for Autism
A 32/250, Old Siddharth Nagar
Road no. 10, Behind Aadarsha Vidyalaya
Goregaon (W)
Mumbai-400062
Mob: 09819023790
Darpan
3759/2 Kundan Nagar
Near Gurudwara Model Town Extn.
Model Town
Ludhiana Punjab
Mob : 09417160463
Development Centre for Children with Autism
1143 Sri Siddartha Campus
Srinagar Colony
Hyderabad- 500073
Tel: 040- 23732285
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Disha Charitable Trust
319-320, Race Course Towers, Gotri Road,
Vadodara-390 007
Gujarat
Tel: 91-265-2325250
Fax: 91-265-2300059
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.disha.org/
Dikshan
22 Anjuman Ara Begum Row
Kolkata 700033
Tel: 033 - 24730706, 24170860
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Inspiration
AG1 123D
Vikaspuri
New Delhi-110018
Tel: 011-25611861, 25412463
Jyot Special School
Kutarkar Residency
Near multipurpose school,
Borda, Margao,
Goa - 403601
Tel: 0832 2765097
Khushi
A/1,Raj Mahal Apartments,
Service Road, Jogeshwari (East)
Next to BMC garden
Mumbai 400 060
Tel: 98195 61468
Tel: 98205 92543
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.khushi.net.in
Muskan
Special Education Centre for Autism
M.S. 39, Sec-D (Near Puraniya Chauraha),
Aliganj, Lucknow
Tel: 0522-2334811
Mob: 09794904682
Open Door - The National Centre for Autism
Pkt 7 & 8 Jasola Vihar
New Delhi 110025
Tel: 91-11-65347422, 40540991/2
Fax: 91-11-40540993
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.autism-india.org/afa_opendoor.htm
Pathways
Sunita S. Lele
14, Pooja, Pandurang Colony
Pune 411 038
Maharashtra
Pradip Centre for Autism
Dr. Mallika Banerjee
Flat No: 4, Lakeview Cooperative Housing Society
P-203/B, Block B
Kolkatta - 700089
Tel : 033-25341832/25748503 (office) 25340891 (d)
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Priyanj Special School
239/1905 Motilal Nagar no 1,
Achyut Behre Marg,
Near Ganesh Mandir, Road no 4,
Goregaon (west),
Mumbai -400104.
Tel: 022-28753880/ 9821098325
Mob: 09821098325
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Podar Khushi Kids (kindergarten cum therapy centre)
Podar Jumbo Kids
9A/1 Model Town, Near Takshila
Off Mahakali Caves Rd,
Andheri-East,
Mumbai-93
Tel: 40262324
Ms Sangeeta Pandey
email: [email protected]
Podar Jumbo Kids
22/5, Naman Dadabhai Rd,
Andheri-West
Mumbai-58
Tel: 26704842
Ms Paresh Daxini
email: [email protected]
Podar Happy Kids
85, Podar Centre,
Post Office Lane, off Ambedkar Rd,
Parel
Mumbai-12
Tel: 43330063/62
Ms Bhakti Trivedi
email: [email protected]
web: http://podarkhushikids.com/
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Child Study Centre
Department of Child Development
Lady Irwin College
Sikandra Road, New Delhi
Tel: 011 23719859/23318850
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.ladyirwin.edu.in
Rakshna
No 4 Rajaji Street
Gandhi Nagar
Madhurai 625 020
Tamil Nadu
SAI-Apoorva Center for Autism
c/o Lions Club of Sarakki
21st mn, 1st Cross, JP Nagar Phase 2
Bangalore, Karnataka 560078
Tel: 080-65710445, 09243195154
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.saiautismcenter.org
SAIRAM Autism
C/o Jai Vakeel School
Sewri Hills, Sewri Road
Mumbai 400 033
Tel: 022-24701129, 24702285
Samarpan
M.G. Road Municipal School
Opp. Parle Vidya Tilak Mandir
3rd floor, Above Marathi Medium School
Near Kesrekar Garden
Vile Parle (East)
Mumbai 400 057
Tel : 022 - 26336537, 56043998
Email:[email protected]
Sambhav Special School for Autism
28, Kasturba Nagar, Nirman Nagar
Ajmer Road, Jaipur
Tel: 0141-3139330,
Mob: 09309374871,09680249165, 09351158510
Email: [email][email protected][/email].
Sanmvedana School for Children with Autism
Opposite Landar Park, Near Hanuman Mandir
Ramdaspeth
Nagpur 400 015
Tel: 3290434, 9822571619, 2284621, 9765290903
Sankalp Learning Centre
Q-9, New No. 41, 6th. Avenue.
Chennai 600040
Tamil Nadu
Tel: 044 42113947
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Sawera
Dr BR Ambedkar Centre
Guru Ravidas Mandir Complex
Opp New Railway Station
Sector 2, Naya Nangal, Ropar
Tel: 01887-221574, 94170-43267
Mob: 09417043267
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
School of Hope
CPWD Complex
Near Chinmay School
Vasant Vihar
New Delhi 110 057
Tel: 26143853, 26151572
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Smt. Radhabai Jamnadas Thakkar Autistic Centre
Shree Manav Seva Sangh
255-257, Sion Road, Sion (West)
Mumbai-400022
Tel: 24092266, 24077350, 24015561, 24077327
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.shreemanavseva.org
St. Mary's School, Aasmaan
Sector-19, Dwarka
New Delhi 110 075
Tel: +91 11 28042487
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Sunshine Centre For Autism
280, 6th Cross
Domlur Layout
Bangalore-71
Tel : 08065360892
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Swabhimaan Trust
Plot No: 218 & 301, Palkalai Nagar,
Palavakkam, Chennai-600041
Tel: +91 44 24511670
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.autismchennai.in
Umang Charitable Trust's Umang Centre
93/924 Siddhivinayak Soc.
New Link Road,Mahavir Nagar,
Kandivali (W)
Mumbai- 400067
Tel: 28600 624
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.umangtrust.org
Vatsalya Special School
R-756 Old Rajinder Nagar
New Delhi
Tel: 011 25862824
We Can Trust
No 4/2 Parsn Riviera
4th Main Road Extn
Kotturpuram, Chennai - 600085
Tel: 044 24464655, 24473136
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Other Relevant Links in India
Disability India Network
Society For Child Development
Cottage 15, Oberoi Apts
2 Sham Nath Marg
Delhi 110 054
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.disabilityindia.org/
National Institute of Mental Handicap (NIMH)
Manovikas Nagar
Secunderabad 500 009
Tel: 091 2775 1741-45
Fax: 091 40 2775 0198
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.nimhindia.org/
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)
Web: http://www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/
National Trust of India
Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.in
Rehabilitation Council of India
Web: http://www.rehabcouncil.nic.in
Chennai Holistic Health Centre for Autism
Plot no:218, Palkalai Nagar, Palavakkam
Chennai-600041, Tamilnadu.
Tel: 91 44 24511670
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Web: http://www.autismchennai.in